At Home Anti-Coagulation Therapy

October 22, 2010, 7:20 am

For individuals who are taking an anti-coagulant drug on a long-term bases to reduce the risks of blood clot formation, a monitoring device called the(INR)International Normalized Ratio can be used at home to monitor the effects of blood thinners such as (Coumadin) Warfarin. With the FDA approval of many home testing devices, patients who are taking anti-coagulant medications can be trained to use the INR monitor test in their own homes. Teaching includes proper technique for taking the sample as well as proper response and management of results. Many individuals who have had deep vein thrombosis, strokes or heart attacks are often prescribed anti-coagulant medication as a means of preventing blood clots from forming. They may also be prescribed in patients with artificial heart valves.

Individuals who take anti-coagulant drugs must monitor their blood very carefully to maintain a normal balance that prevents excessive bleeding or clotting of blood. The use of the INR test involves taking a blood sample either from a fingerstick or from a vein. The sample should be taken before receiving the prescribed daily dosage. Results show how effective the blood thinners are working. Physicians will order that PT/INR monitoring tests be done regularly to ensure that the anti-coagulant medication is working properly. Tests are done often enough to evaluate and adjust the medication to the proper therapeutic level that prevents excessive bleeding.

There are some factors that can affect the results of a PT/INR test. These include consuming alcohol, taking antibiotics,(HRT)hormone replacement therapy, oral contraceptives, barbiturates as well as multivitamins and vitamin K. Foods such as pork liver, beef liver, broccoli, turnip greens, green tea, kale, soybean products and chickpeas all contain a large quantity of vitamin K and can affect test results. Informing the doctor about consuming any of these foods as well as the use of any of the above mentioned medications can help interpret the testing results accurately.

P Chisholm